Road Closures & Track Conditions - 6th May 2022

Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-international-travellers

La Nina -

The Bureau of Meteorology announced the beginning of a La Niña on the 24th November 2021, which most likely means a wet summer period for eastern and northern regions. 

La Niña is a recurring event in our weather cycle, not to be confused with the warmer El Niño, that operates over periods of one to eight years. It manifests when strong equatorial trade winds change ocean currents, drawing cool water up to the surface in parts of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a pile up of warm surface water east of Australia. This leads to a boost in convection that has a pronounced effect on the global climate.

Every La Niña event is different, but according to the BOM this time Australia is likely to see:

• More rainfall in Eastern, Central, and Northern Australia

• Decreased daytime temperatures south of the tropics

• More tropical cyclones

• Increased chance of widespread flooding

• Longer, less intense heat waves in south east of Australia

• Earlier First Rains across Northern Australia

• Less risk of fires in areas that receive more rainfall

Northern Territory

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine

Regional Update -

• A patchy cloud band will persist over southern parts of the NT until Saturday. A cooler and drier southeasterly surge will move through the Territory from today and reach the Top End from Friday as a new high moves across the Bight.

• ‘The Dry’ season has concluded, with La Niña conditions expected. The weather is looking wetter than average over the next couple of months. 

• Gibbie Creek 4WD Track - Road Closed - Between Fish Hole yard wickham 4wd track and Gregory National park boundary. (Last updated: 05/05/22).

• Flooding has resulted due to significant rainfall in the last few weeks. Some tracks in Northern NT are closed or impassable.

Western Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa

Regional Update -

• Kimberley:

  • A trough extends near the coast from the Kimberley to the Pilbara. It will push offshore from the Pilbara and southwestern Kimberley coasts for a period during the mornings.

  • Fire Risk:

    • North Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • West Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • Kimberley Inland: Low-Moderate

  • Hot temps (Low to Mid 30s) expected.

  • Road Alert: Gibb River Rd - Opening up works and maintenance grading. Between Lennard River and Mt Barnett.  (Updated: 05/05/22).

• Pilbara:

  • A trough extends near the coast from the Kimberley to the Pilbara. It will push offshore from the Pilbara and southwestern Kimberley coasts for a period during the mornings.

  • Fire Risk:

    • East Pilbara Coast: Very High

    • West Pilbara Coast: Very High

    • East Pilbara Inland: High

    • Ashburton Inland: High

    • Exmouth Gulf Coast: Low-Moderate

  • Mostly sunny throughout the week, temps into mid 30s.

  • Marble Bar Road - 80 km south of Nullagine -Marble Bar Rd between Marble Bar and Nullagine - Flooding. Road Open with Extreme Caution. (Updated: 05/05/22).

• South West WA:

  • A firm ridge extends over the southern half of the State from a strong high pressure system in the Southern Ocean. The high will slowly move east during today and weaken on Friday, allowing the ridge to weaken over the State. A weak front will approach the southwest coast on Sunday.

  • Fire Risk:

    • Geographe: High

    • Leeuwin: High

    • Nelson: High

  • Mostly sunny throughout the rest of the week. Temps into the low 20s.

  • Quite extensive road works are being undertaken on the South Coast Highway.

  • Muir Hwy btwn Manjimup and Rocky Gully - Upgrades. Lane closures under traffic lights EXPECT SIGNIFICANT DELAYS. (Updated: 05/05/22).

South Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall expected in the north/central areas of South Australia.

Regional Update -

• A strong ridge is driving a cool to cold southerly airstream across the state and will be sustained for the rest of the week. A high pressure system will become established over the south of the State on Saturday, and then move southeastwards to be near Tasmania early next week.

• Rain Closure openings: Large amounts of outback SA roads have recently closed after poor weather - some have reopened with heavy restrictions. (updated: 05/05/22).

• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 05/05/22).

• Road Works: Road Sealing - Strzelecki Track (472km). The SA government will seal the first 50-kilometres, Starting just north of Lyndhurst.

Victoria

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update - 

• A cold and unstable west to southwesterly airstream will remain over the state today following the passage of a cold front. These conditions will continue into Friday as a low pressure system deepens near Tasmania and a large high moves south of WA. The low will retreat into the Tasman Sea during Saturday and Sunday, with conditions becoming more settled as the high crosses the Bight and develops over Victoria.

• Haunted Stream Track: Haunted Stream Track - Tambo Crossing is closed. DELWP are undertaking repairs. Reopening will be dependent on weather conditions.

• High Country: Seasonally Closed tracks have reopened, Check the list of tracks open/closed.

Tasmania

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update -

• A low pressure system is developing to the northeast of the state today and will deepen as it moves westward during the day. The low pressure system will sit over or near Tasmania on Friday, before moving away to the east during Saturday. On Sunday, a high pressure system moves over Victoria, and extends a ridge over Tasmania.

New South Wales/ ACT

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall is expected in most of New South Wales.

Regional Update - 

• A cold front will continue to track across the state today. This feature will see a period of unsettled weather across the eastern half of the state which is expected to contract to the far northeast by Friday. Markedly cooler conditions following this front will herald the first significant cold snap of the season.

• Flooding - Major closures in the North West of the state. North of Broken Hill and West of Wanaaring. Avoid the area, Never drive through floodwater (Updated 05/05/22).

Queensland

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More tropical Cyclones than normal. Prepare earlier - Rain expected a month earlier, more than 70% chance of above-average rainfall and increased flood risk.

Regional Update -

• A weak ridge extends over eastern Queensland. A trough over central Queensland will move east today and tomorrow, moving off the southeast coast tomorrow. A strong high will move slowly east across the Great Australian Bight over the next several days, extending a strengthening ridge over much of the state from today. An upper trough may enhance showers and thunderstorms over central and eastern Queensland during Sunday.

• Cape York: Peninsula Developmental Road - Road Works - at Archer River Road.

• Fraser Island:

  • Areas of concern - Most of the West coast is closed to beach driving.

  • Look and listen for aircraft landing and taking off along the eastern beach. Follow direction from the ground control crew.

  • Wongari (Dingo) warnings – Be dingo-safe!

  • Fraser Island report - 27th April, 2022.

• Hazard: Adverse driving conditions - Peninsula Developmental Road: The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over road.